Jump-start your conference experience by attending these interactive workshops. These information-packed sessions are a great opportunity to network with fellow attendees while taking a hands-on, common-sense approach to mastering social media strategies that will enhance your understanding of the informative, case study presentations throughout the entire conference.

Choose A or B or BOTH for maximum value and learning

Social Media 101: How Government Can Leverage Web 2.0 To Improve Their Communication Strategies

What are blogs? What is Web 2.0? Why should I use podcasts? How will RSS feeds help me communicate better to employees and customers/citizens?

This pre-conference workshop will answer these questions and provide a comprehensive tutorial on the various social media tools and technologies and teach government communicators what they need to know to get started. Specifically, you’ll learn how government organizations can leverage Web 2.0 technologies to improve their communication strategies. This session will draw from practical, real-world experiences at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and other organizations.

• What is Web 2.0? (vertical vs. horizontal influence, where we are today)
• Ways which a government agency can promote itself online
• How and why to blog
• Agency blogging guidelines
• How to use online video distribution as a marketing tool—how it can help you distribute your message, what's out there, & where to post
• How to search optimized newsletters and RSS feeds—how they work and why they are important
• Google Adwords and Search Engine Optimization
• Examples and samples
• How to get started
• Q&A

WORKSHOP LEADER: Rachel Ruff, Vice President of Persuasive Technology, came to Porter Novelli in 2006 from her position as a special projects manager and producer at CNN. Rachel is expanding and enhancing the agency’s capabilities in the digital influence arena, using broadcast industry insight and extensive CNN experience to focus on strategy development and media creation as she oversees interactive media projects for Porter Novelli worldwide.

Testimonials From Past Porter Novelli Sessions:

"Excellent presentation and mix of visuals, lecture, examples, templates, and resources."

"Very well presented!"

"This workshop did a good job doing an overview of examples of current
Web 2.0 examples in the government & the private sector."

12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch On Your Own

1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. AFTERNOON PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP B

A Step-By-Step Framework For Implementing Podcasting In Your Agency: Learning How To Podcast And Understanding How It Works

Whether your agency serves a particular set of constituents, is responsible for setting policy, oversees research, manages historical or cultural collections, or produces educational or public health outreach campaigns, audio podcasting is an excellent way to communicate your initiatives, generate public interest, and promote your mission.

In this workshop, you will learn the basics of creating your own audio podcast that will rival or exceed the quality of many "professional" shows already in existence. Learn about all the tools you will need to do it yourself, from audio editing programs and microphones, to recording interviews over the Internet using Skype, the popular Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) client. Then, we will get our hands dirty by editing an actual episode of MicrobeWorld, the daily science news program heard on Washington, DC's WETA 90.9 FM and master it using The Levelator, a free software product and a podcaster’s best friend. We will also discuss podcast distribution methods, including: RSS feed creation, bandwidth considerations, cell phone delivery, and hosting options.

• Web 2.0 marketing tips on how to optimize your podcast feed
• Podcast directory submission
• Single-click subscription buttons
• Flash players/podcast widgets

If your agency doesn't have an allocated budget to hire a consultant, PR agency, or a production house to create a podcast, or you just want to learn the details of the podcasting process, this workshop session is for you.

WORKSHOP LEADER: Chris Condayan serves as the Manager for the American Society for Microbiology's (ASM) public education outreach initiative in which he oversees the production of the society’s MicrobeWorld Radio outreach program. In addition to his current role with ASM, Condayan has done consulting work on podcasting and wikis for the American Physiology Society and the American Podiatric Medical Association.